Build fence? Hire Mexicans

Now that the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have shoved the 700-mile fence proposition down President Bush's throat - you know, the guy who wants a guest worker program - let's spend this $1.2 billion correctly. Let's hire the hardest workers for the money. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, let's hire Mexicans to build this fence.

There is no way under Davis-Bacon public works provisions we can get this fence done for $1.2 billion. Initial estimates are for at least three times that amount. President Bush needs to contract this with the president of Mexico and have them build the fence; the money benefits Mexico directly and may help keep some workers there who might otherwise try to sneak around a fence.

The odds of completion within time and budget will also be greatly improved.

Bill Molloy, Scio

Postal workers are human

In response to the complaints about our postal workers, I want to say that I am pleased with their service. I did have a pension check come two weeks late last month (September), but that is the only time in 11 years.

If I expect absolute perfection in our postal workers, then I had better take a look at myself. And the answer is obvious. We are all human.

God bless our postal workers! Thank you for your service!

David Scott, Albany

Builders, remember 1964?

Every few years someone wants to build on the flood plain in west Albany. Doesn't anyone tell those builders what happened in 1964? The Calapooia still doesn't have any dams on it.

Betty Holcomb, Albany

Pepsi plant right for Albany

The decision on Oct. 11 by the Albany City Council to approve the new PepsiCo plant is the right decision for Albany. Not only will the new plant bring about 200 new family-wage jobs ($13-18 per hour), but it will also help to diversify the city industrial base.

Just as it's a good idea to diversify your financial portfolio, it's also a good idea for a city not to have all its industry in just one or two sectors of the economy. Albany industry produces primarily two things: rare metals and wood products. Any downturn in the economy in either one of these industries could have a drastic effect on the well-being of the average citizen.

The new PepsiCo plant will give Albany jobs that are not tied to either sector, so a recession in the wood products industry or the rare metals industry will not affect the people working at Pepsi.

Most people can still remember the hard times of the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the wood product industry in Oregon was in a severe downturn. Not only did it affect the people, from the wood product industry, but it also forced a lot of small business in town to close.

Anything we can do to keep this from happening again, we should do. The PepsiCo plant will not solve all of the city's problems if the economy heads south, but it is a step in the right direction.

Ron Wolford, Albany

Remember, one nation!

As I sit and think of what is going on in this country today, it takes me back to the hatred of the Vietnam era. The divide is so real and so deep; it seems some would be willing to destroy our country just to see personal and political views succeed.

Are we no more "one nation under God"? What's become of JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"? Do we no longer seek what is best for America?

Friends, because I believe in God, I am an optimist. He rules over the affairs of nations. We are free to seek His will or our own way. The choice is critical and it is our own, both individually and as a nation. Joshua said. "Choose you this day whom you will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Times of national crisis draw us together. I would hope we won't wait for another such occurrence. Let us love one another and trust in the Lord with all out hearts. The result will be a stronger nation on whom His favor rests.

God bless America, and may He bless us all.

Joseph Novak, Albany

We had better have oil

Those who think we entered Iraq for oil are partially correct. If they think it was for "Big Oil," companies their thinking is flawed. Oil is the lifeblood of America. So if you like to eat and visit Aunt Gerty, be glad we entered Iraq, and question whether we should cut and run if Democrats take over. (If we leave, Saddam will walk!)

Saddam sealed his fate in September 2000, when he demanded that all Iraqi oil sold under the U.N. Oil For Food Program must be paid for in euros rather than dollars. Saddam's actions were a direct threat to the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency and the U.S. to fund its massive deficits. This is borne out by the fact that two months after the U.S. entered Iraq, the Oil For Food Program was terminated and all euro accounts were switched back to the dollar. The world could no longer pay for oil in euros.

If, as reported, we will need 50 million more barrels a day by 2010, we had better make sure and maintain our position in Iraq if only to keep Iran at bay.

It is too late to drill in ANWAR or offshore anywhere, and if we are to survive as a nation, we must have oil and more of it.

Those of you who are pure of thought and think we should not spill one drop of blood for oil, remember there are more Americans murdered in Washington, D.C., than killed in Baghdad. And our nation, as we know it, disappears from history without oil and lots of it.

John Penrod, Lebanon

Recommending Dr. Girod

We wish to endorse Dr. Fred Girod, dentist nephew of the late Dr. Frank Girod, a well-known Lebanon family doctor, to replace District 17 Rep. Jeff Kropf in the Oregon Legislature. Liz VanLeeuwen, retired District 37 representative, reports Dr. Girod was hard-working and effective in representing his district as a state representative several years ago.

As a successful rural-town professional and business person, Dr. Girod understands that need for business development to provide family-wage jobs for our young people in mostly rural District 17. This contrasts with his opponent's association with an anti-development so-called "Friends" group. My understanding is that the opponent also failed to win Oregon Farm Bureau endorsement, even though he is currently Linn FB president.

We are confident that Dr. Girod will represent his constituents carefully and well, and recommend his election.

Geo. VanLeeuwen, Halsey

Bush wrong to slam Dems

Am I wrong to believe that when one is elected president of the U.S., one is the president of all the people not just one party, in this case Republican?

Am I wrong to feel that it was out of order at what was a press conference to make derogatory remarks about Democrats? "They don't understand the problems" and "they want to take away the tools of the investigators," both of which are untrue. How would you feel if the president (whoever) would make this kind of remark about your party?

Virginia Uhden, Albany

Lebanon library saved my life

I'd like to give a very special thank you to the Lebanon library, which you could say saved my life.

I've smoked for 26 years and tried many times to quit. I was told about a book and kindly the Lebanon library found it for me. I'm now smoke-free.

The book is "The Easy Way To Quit Smoking" by Allen Carr. I recommend this book to everyone who smokes. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. You can check it out at the library.

Cynthia Foster, Lebanon

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